POV of Veatrix Lestrange
On Saturday morning, I stayed in bed a little longer while the others got up, full of anticipation for the weekend. When I noticed Hermione approaching my bed, I pretended to be asleep so I wouldn't have to answer whether I wanted to come to breakfast. I mean, it was becoming more than obvious that I wouldn't say yes to such questions. I just didn't belong with them... I hadn't forgotten our first meeting on the Hogwarts Express, and I knew the others didn't want me around.
Once they were gone, I waited a while longer before getting up myself, as I wasn't keen on running into anyone. I went to the bathroom to shower and then get dressed. I have to admit, I copied the spell for drying my long black hair from Hermione. It was still a mystery to me how someone Muggle-born could be so talented at magic after just a few days at Hogwarts. I artfully put my hair up and experimentally tucked my wand into the hairstyle. It worked quite well, so I wouldn't have to worry about it anymore. Since it was the weekend, we didn't have to wear robes and uniforms but could wear Muggle clothes. The only downside was that I wouldn't have known where to put my wand if it hadn't stayed in my hair.
At breakfast, I sat at the Slytherin table, where I still seemed to be welcome despite being a Gryffindor. Well, I had known most of the Slytherins for years. The Malfoys had always been meticulous about ensuring that Draco and I only had contact with other children from pure-blood wizarding families. However, only with those whose parents were mostly in Slytherin. Pure-blood families like the Weasleys, the Blacks, and the Patils were not on the list of families we had maintained contact with. This was partly because they were considered 'blood traitors,' but in some cases, it was enough that they weren't Slytherins. Zane Blishwick was one of the people I had known and liked since childhood. Unlike Pansy, Crabbe, and Goyle, he always seemed much cleverer to me, which made me feel we were on the same wavelength. It hit me all the harder when I saw him sitting a few seats to the right next to Bella. It was a mystery to me how he could even be seen with her. His parents wouldn't like the information that he was associating with the daughter of a blood traitor. It was only a matter of time before they found out, as I assumed Draco reported every little detail to his parents. This brought me to the question I asked Draco on the way outside after breakfast: 'Draco..? Do your parents already know that I'm not in Slytherin?' 'No. I can't do that to you. They will find out eventually, but as long as we don't have to tell them, we should refrain from doing so.' I was incredibly relieved by his answer. I can't describe how grateful I was to him at that moment. However, we both knew it was only a matter of time before they found out. I hoped it wouldn't be too soon, as I was unsure if I would still be welcome during the Christmas holidays. The summer holidays, during which they would have to take me in because they had custody of me, wouldn't be pleasant either.
I decided to go back inside to look for Zane. We hadn't talked to each other since our arrival at Hogwarts. So I said goodbye to Draco and hurried back towards the Great Hall. On the way there, I ran into Bella and the whole Gryffindor group, accompanied by Ginn, Oliver, and Padma. For me, this was a good sign, as it meant Zane was probably with the other Slytherins. And indeed: A glance into the now almost empty Great Hall was enough for me to see that Zane was still sitting at the Slytherin table with Pansy, Millicent, and Blaise. I sat down next to Zane and managed nothing more than a 'Hi' at first. 'Here comes our brave Gryffindor. Seems you haven't forgotten about us after all,' Zane teased me, but when he started grinning, I knew it didn't matter to him which house I had ended up in. However, I noticed how tense the others seemed since I had sat down. They probably weren't sure whether to consider me a friend or an enemy now. Once again, I became aware of how severe the consequences of house sorting were when one landed in the rival houses of Gryffindor and Slytherin. As the others made no attempt to continue their previous conversation, I stood up and quietly asked Zane for a private conversation. He nodded in response, and together we said goodbye to the others. Zane purposefully headed for the large oak portal, and we walked towards the lake, where I had sat several times before.
Without me saying anything, Zane began to speak. 'You know... I think the fact that you ended up in Gryffindor should be seen as a kind of sign.' When I looked at him in confusion, he continued: 'That it's time to slowly start thinking for ourselves, you know? Up until now, our families have dictated who we should associate with and who we shouldn't. At the very latest, we should now question whether... these views are really correct. What if it's not as bad in Gryffindor as you currently think? And don't lie to me now; I know you've thought about it too.' He scrutinized me with a knowing and thoughtful look. 'But it's not just up to me to make friends with them. We're not the only ones who grew up with prejudices, and you know that!' I replied. 'I know. But I also believe they will see you differently if you don't confirm their prejudices. I've talked a bit with Bella; she's really okay.' I snorted contemptuously. 'Yeah, right, except for the fact that she hates me and has been badmouthing me to the others.' 'She surely didn't mean it that way. Give them a chance. Promise me that, Vea. Okay?' With those words, he walked back towards the castle, leaving me standing there.